HIV Treatment Options
Treatment of HIV is a balance of attitude and action. Learning how therapies work, possible side effects and figuring out if you’re ready can help when you talk with your doctor about treatment choices. Until you need medication, eating well, getting lots of rest and reducing stress go a long way. If you use drugs, making it safer will help you stay healthy.
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are a number of different drugs that slow its progress. These drugs are called antiretrovirals. Lots of people with HIV live healthy lives for years without them, but at a certain point, your immune system may need the support they can offer.
How do HIV treatments work?
HIV invades healthy cells in the immune system, makes copies of itself, and then sends the copies out to infect more healthy cells. This is a multi-step process. A combination of antiretrovirals (also known as combination therapy or Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) is used to interrupt the replication of HIV at different stages of the process. This controls the virus longer than one drug alone can do, because HIV can develop resistance to the effects of medication. If HIV cannot infect new cells and make copies of itself, its strength in your body weakens and your immune system can become stronger.
Possible Side Effects
There are side effects to antiretroviral drugs and some people will tolerate them more easily than others. Side effects usually occur in the first month or two of treatment and lessen over time. If you are starting on treatment, ask your doctor what to expect and how to manage the side effects. Tell your doctor about anything you do experience, because it may be possible to switch medications, but don’t stop taking your medications without first talking to her or him.
Here are some common side effects from antiretrovirals:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- skin rash (some rashes can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction, so talk to your doctor promptly if they develop)
- headaches
- strange dreams
- loss of appetite
- weight gain or loss in certain areas of the body (gain in breasts and belly; loss in face, arms, and legs)
Some side effects are more common in women. For example, studies have shown that women may be at a much higher risk than men of developing a skin rash as a result of the drug Nevirapine. Because women’s reactions to the drugs have not been studied as thoroughly as men’s, we don’t know all the reasons why women may respond differently.
Lifestyle Changes
Taking your medication around the same time every day keeps the amount in your body consistent, which is essential in avoiding resistance. If you’re someone with an unpredictable schedule, this could be a challenge. Some medications are more forgiving than others, so talk to your doctor realistically about the schedule and challenges you imagine. If you don’t take your medication on a regular schedule, HIV can become resistant and your options for treatment are limited.
Treatment Choices: Antiretrovirals and Alternatives
Along with drug options, there are complementary or alternative therapies you might want to explore. Complementary (used alongside drug options) or alternative (instead of drug options) therapies are drawn from different approaches from different parts of the world. These therapies include:
- vitamins
- herbal remedies
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- acupuncture
- yoga
- massage
- meditation
- visualization
For more detailed treatment information, check out the website of the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, a fantastic, detailed site with up to date info (and a friendly phone-in line if you’d rather connect with someone live).
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